Aviation Health: Contaminated Air

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What measures are in place for the reporting and investigating of incidents of exposure to contaminated air in United Kingdom aircraft; how many reports have been received for each year since 1995; how many of these reports were investigated; and what conclusions were drawn.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Civil Aviation Authority's mandatory occurrence reporting scheme requires reports of contaminated air events where they are considered by the reporter to represent potential airworthiness concerns. To identify the serious events from these, CAA review all smoke and fume events that may be related to engine oil and categorise them by the severity of the reported symptoms, as experienced by the pilots. The severity ranges from a brief smell of smoke or oil, to some form of impairment.
	The numbers of reports made to CAA since 1995 are as follows and in parentheses are the number of those events that involved pilot impairment.
	
		
			   
			 1995 3(0) 1999 25(3) 2003 29(0) 
			 1996 7(0) 2000 35(3) 2004 36(l) 
			 1997 14(2) 2001 52(l) 2005 35(0) 
			 1998 17(0) 2002 27(0)   
		
	
	As a result of these reports, all of which were investigated, specific continued airworthiness actions have been taken in respect of BAe146 and Boeing 757 aircraft to mitigate any effects and to reduce the frequency of occurrence.
	The CAA believes that the increase in reports received in recent years is due to better reporting. However, the number of events where impairment has been reported has remained low.

Aviation Health: Contaminated Air

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have carried out toxicological testing of pyrolised synthetic jet engine oil lubricants, with particular reference to organophosphate-induced chronic neurotoxic effects; and, if so, what were the results.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Civil Aviation Authority commissioned the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) to investigate whether fumes connected with aircraft engine oil were linked to transient symptoms experienced by pilots during flight. Certain irritants were found but DSTL advised that the reported symptoms were not consistent with organophosphate induced neurotoxic effects.

Aviation Health: Contaminated Air

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether an aircraft would be considered airworthy if the cockpit and cabin air were being contaminated with pyrolysis products from synthetic jet engine oils and hydraulic fluids.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Civil Aviation Authority assesses reports of air contamination and takes action, either directly or through the European Aviation Safety Agency, if a threat to aircraft safety is identified. Air contamination would be considered to make an aircraft unairworthy if it was likely to incapacitate the aircraft's flight crew.
	To protect the safety of any flight on which an unexpected failure occurs the CAA directs crews to don their oxygen masks whenever they suspect that the crew air supply has been contaminated.

Aviation Health: Contaminated Air

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the research paper by Ms Sheila Marshman upon which the Civil Aviation Authority relied for its conclusions in its paper Cabin Air Quality written in 2004.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The paper referred to is a confidential report prepared for BAe Systems and although the Civil Aviation Authority was allowed limited access for the purposes of its report on cabin air quality, it remains the intellectual property of BAe Systems. The report is subject to legal privilege and therefore exempt from disclosure.

Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001: Overseas Provisions

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect to reply to the Lord Hylton's Question for Written Answer (HL536) dated 14 June.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: I refer the noble Lord to my Answer of 27 October 2005 (Official Report, WA 197).

Asylum Seekers: Children

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the needs and rights of refugee and asylum seeking children, as stated under Article 22 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, are being met.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Yes. The United Kingdom treats children according to the standards laid down in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). However, upon signing up to the UNCRC, the United Kingdom entered a reservation that made it clear that nothing in the UNCRC was to be interpreted as affecting the operation of UK immigration and nationality law. This reservation for immigration purposes under the UNCRC in no way inhibits the discharge of our obligations under Article 22 of the UNCRC.

Asylum Seekers: Deportation from UK

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was their response to the letter from the Ombudsperson of Kosovo to the Home Secretary of 14 March, warning against the forcible return of asylum-seekers of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian origin to Kosovo; whether they will place a copy of their reply in the Library of the House; and whether any persons belonging to the groups mentioned have been returned from the United Kingdom.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Home Office reply reiterated the Government's policy that each asylum application is considered on its individual merits and only those who are found not to be in need of international protection are removed from the United Kingdom. The full reply will be placed in the Library of the House. Statistical information on the ethnicity of failed asylum seekers returned to Kosovo is not separately recorded.

Council Tax Revaluation: Cost

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much was spent on preparations for the council tax revaluation in England prior to the announcement of its postponement on 20 September.

Baroness Andrews: The Valuation Office Agency has incurred approximately £60 million in costs and contractual liabilities in relation to the revaluation in England prior to its postponement. Some £45 million will be of potential use in the future for the agency's routine business or revaluation at a later date. Costs incurred by central government are not separately identified.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in the light of the work of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, they have plans to reduce the number of wrongful convictions or for reducing discrimination against prisoners who maintain their innocence.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government are taking forward a number of reforms intended to minimise miscarriages of justice, both for defendants and victims. These include provisions in the Criminal Justice Act 2003 to ensure that the correct charges are brought, with the Crown Prosecution Service assuming the responsibility for determining the charge in cases other than routine offences. The 2003 Act also amended the provisions governing the disclosure to the defence of unused prosecution material to introduce a new single objective test for disclosure. This should assist in ensuring that relevant material is disclosed to the defence earlier. The independent Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) recently announced that two academics have been given permission to review cases that the CCRC has considered dating back to 1997, when the commission was established. The research includes an examination of expert evidence, with specific reference as to whether changes might assist in avoiding future miscarriages of justice.

Disability Costs

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made with the Department for Work and Pensions' feasibility study to determine the measurement of extra costs falling on people with long-term disabilities and their carers.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The department published the results of Meeting long-term information needs on disability: a feasibility report in September, in the research report series, number 267. Copies are available in the Library. The feasibility study assessed whether and how it would be possible to meet a range of information needs on disability—including the extra costs of disability.
	On the same day the department published a Review of existing research on the extra costs of disability, in September in the working paper series, number 21. Copies are available in the Library.
	This review found that there is substantial disagreement over what constitutes the extra costs disabled people may face, and also over how to measure them. Several approaches have been used and, while there is general agreement that disabled people do experience extra costs, results vary significantly as to the level and nature of these costs.
	The department is currently considering how to take forward the recommendations made in the feasibility study.
	The work referred to above did not cover carers.

Electricity: Offshore Generation

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What studies they have undertaken into the relative merits and comparative costs of subterranean and overhead cables for connecting offshore generated power to its distribution point.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government have not undertaken any studies into the relative merits of subterranean and overhead cables for connecting offshore generation.
	To date all power transmission offshore has involved undersea cables. There are a number of severe technical difficulties, which would appear to preclude an overhead pylon system at sea and therefore the feasibility of such a system would be a matter for the electricity industry to consider.

Housing: Planning Policy Guidance

Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have proposals to introduce a presumption into planning guidance that, where streets are wide enough and other circumstances are appropriate, permission should be given to add a second or third storey to a house.

Baroness Andrews: Planning for housing policies, currently set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 3 (PPG3), aim to secure sustainable, well-designed development that makes the best use of land, and which is sensitive to the impact it has on the environment and the surrounding area. Where planning applications are made for permission to be given to add a second or third storey to a house, it will be for local planning authorities to consider such applications on their individual merits, having regard to local circumstances set out in their development plans and to the guidance set out in PPG3. The Government do not therefore consider it necessary to introduce into national planning policy guidance the presumption suggested by the noble Lord.

Immigration: Annual Costs and Benefits

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the annual costs and benefits to public funds of legal immigrants in Britain; and
	What is the estimated cost of (a) the provision of public services to immigrants; and (b) the capital cost of providing infrastructure to determine the number of immigrants who should be admitted to the United Kingdom.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government do not have precise estimates of the cost of providing public services specifically to migrants. In 2002 the Home Office published research into the net fiscal contribution of migrants. This was based on figures for 1999–2000 and estimated that migrants (defined as foreign born) made a net fiscal contribution of £2.5 billion. This research was recently updated by IPPR based on figures for 2003–04 (Sriskandarajah, Cooley and Reed: Paying their way: the fiscal contribution of immigrants in the UK, IPPR, London, 2005). This found that migrants (defined as the foreign born) accounted for 9.6 per cent of the population, yet 1 per cent of government revenue and only 9.1 per cent of government expenditure. The Government do not calculate the capital cost of providing infrastructure as a means of determining the number of immigrants who should be admitted to the UK.

Infrastructure Projects: Planning Permission Procedure

Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will consider the process of obtaining planning permission, including public inquiries, for major infrastructure and transport projects, which were determined by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

Baroness Andrews: The Town and Country Planning (Major Infrastructure Project Inquiries Procedure) (England) Rules 2005 (SI 2005/2115) only came into force on 24 August. Supporting guidance was issued in ODPM Circular 07/2005 which states that the new arrangements will be monitored over a five year period and if necessary changes will be considered.

Mental Health Services

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What consideration they have given to Mind's publication, Access all ages; and whether there is any action they will be taking on its conclusions.

Lord Warner: The Government have noted the content of this useful publication. Many of its recommendations and key concerns are addressed in our document Securing Better Mental Health. We will be addressing other issues in the forthcoming Older People's Mental Health Service Development Guide.

Metropolitan Police Authority: Death of Jean Charles de Menezes

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What further action they now expect from the Metropolitan Police Authority in respect of the death of Jean Charles de Menezes on 22 July.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Metropolitan Police Authority has a general duty to secure and maintain an effective and efficient police force in the metropolis. It has a specific duty under the Police Reform Act 2002 to keep itself informed about the nature and handling of all complaints and conduct matters arising in the Metropolitan Police Service. If any disciplinary matters regarding an officer above the rank of chief superintendent arises from the IPCC investigation into the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, the Metropolitan Police Authority must deal with them under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2004. In regard to the complaint against the commissioner of the metropolis, the Metropolitan Police Authority must deal with it, subject to the requirements of the Independent Police Complaints Commission, in accordance with its statutory responsibilities under the Police Reform Act 2002. If the IPCC determines that the complaint must be investigated by the Metropolitan Police Authority, then the authority must refer the matter to the Secretary of State for the Home Department who will nominate a person to conduct the investigation.

Offenders: Electronic Tagging

Lord Steinberg: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, as a result of the evidence given in the Bates murder case, a change in the supervision of electronic tagging has been considered.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: I would like to express my deep regret for the tragic death of Mrs Bates, who was killed by an offender subject to a curfew. The Home Office has issued new guidance to make sure that the electronic monitoring service providers respond to all future curfew violations and report them promptly in line with contractual obligations. The company that was responsible for monitoring the offender has altered its own procedures to bring them into line with our requirements. The Scottish Executive manage a separate contract for electronic monitoring in Scotland. There are no electronic monitoring services in Northern Ireland.

Prisons: Young Offender Suicides

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many under 18 year-olds committed suicide in United Kingdom prisons for each year in the past decade.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The information requested with respect to prisons in England and Wales and Northern Ireland is provided in the following table. For the information with respect to Scotland, I refer the noble Lord to the Scottish Executive.
	
		Number of apparent self-inflicted deaths* involvingprisoners aged 15-17 inclusive)
		
			 Year Engand and Wales Northern Ireland 
			 1995 1  
			 1996 1  
			 1997 1  
			 1998 3  
			 1999 2  
			 2000 3 1 
			 2001 3  
			 2002 2  
			 2003   
			 2004   
		
	
	Note:
	The term "self-inflicted death" is employed rather than suicide. This includes, all those deaths where it appears the person may have acted specifically to take his/her own life and not only those that receive a "suicide" verdict at inquest.

Universities: Korean Studies

Lord Richard: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to ensure that Korean studies continue to be available at universities.

Lord Adonis: Higher education institutions are autonomous organisations responsible for their own academic direction and provision of courses in the light of student demand. Within that framework, we asked the Higher Education Funding Council for England for advice on how to secure and strengthen subjects of strategic national importance. After considering the views of the higher education sector and others with an interest, we responded formally to that advice on 28 October indicating that we need to maintain national capacity in far eastern languages and areas' studies such as Korean studies. A copy of that response has been placed in the Library.

Wales: Governance

Lord Roberts of Conwy: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they propose to change the additional member system of proportional representation as it will apply to the elections for the National Assembly for Wales; and, if so, how.

Lord Evans of Temple Guiting: The Better Governance for Wales White Paper, published on 15 June 2005, makes clear the Government's intention to retain the additional member system (AMS) for elections to the National Assembly for Wales. The White Paper also sets out the Government's proposals for modifications to how AMS operates in relation to Wales.